Daily Update: UFC press conference, Brian Christopher, Elgin injury

THE ROUND-UP

THE LATEST NEWS

THE LATEST AUDIO

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE Raw house show in Augusta, GA and NXT in Orlando as well as Northeast Wrestling in Norwich, CT to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

We’ll be doing three polls this weekend, which will be for both the New Japan shows in Osaka, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, as well as UFC 227 Saturday night, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com.

NEW JAPAN WORLD PRO WRESTLING ON AXS TV AT 8 P.M. EASTERN TIME TONIGHT

  • Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito

MLW AT 8 P.M. TONIGHT IN BEIN SPORTS

  • Shane Strickland vs. Sami Callihan
  • Jimmy Havoc vs. Brody King
  • Jake Hager vs. Simon Gotch
  • TV debut of Brian Pillman Jr.

CES MMA FROM LINCOLN, RHODE ISLAND ON AXS AT 9 P.M. EASTERN TONIGHT

  • Bruce Boyington vs. Sean Soriano for the vacant featherweight title
  • Nate Andrews vs. D’Juan Owens for the lightweight title

CMLL LIVE FROM ARENA MEXICO AT 9:30 P.M. TONIGHT

  • Audaz & Fuego vs. Templario & Virus
  • Angel de Oro & Blue Panther Jr. & Niebla Roja vs. Mephisto & Ephesto & Luciferno
  • Caristico & Mistico & El Hijo de L.A. Park vs. Sanson & Forastero & Cuatrero
  • Negro Casas & Blue Panther & Atlantis vs. Fuerza Guerrera & Octagon & Solar
  • Matt Taven vs. Volador Jr. for NWA welterweight title
  • L.A. Park & Rey Fenix & Penta 0M vs. Rush & Jay & Mark Briscoe

NEW JAPAN G-1 CLIMAX TOURNAMENT SATURDAY MORNING AT 4 A.M. EASTERN (1 A.M. TONIGHT PACIFIC) FROM THE EDION ARENA IN OSAKA ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Yoshi-Hashi & Sho vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
  • Minoru Suzuki & Desperado vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
  • Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Jay White & Yoh
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino vs. Michael Elgin & David Finlay
  • Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Evil & Bushi
  • Sanada vs. Toru Yano
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Juice Robinson
  • Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi

Saturday we’re looking for reports from the WWE Raw house show in North Charleston, SC, Smackdown in Pensacola, FL, NXT in St. Petersburg, FL and Northeast Wrestling in Wappingers Falls, NY to newstips@wrestlingobserver.com.

UFC 227 FROM THE STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES

Fight Pass at 6:15 p.m. Eastern time

  • Wuliji Buren (135.5) vs. Marlon Vera (135.5)
  • Danielle Taylor (115.25) vs. Weili Zhang (115.5)
  • Alex Perez (126) vs. Jose Torres (125)

FX at 8 p.m. Eastern time

  • Sheymon Moraes (146) vs. Matt Sayles (145.75)
  • Kyung Ho Kang (136) vs. Ricardo Ramos (135.5)
  • Montel Jackson (136) vs. Ricky Simon (135.25)
  • Brett Johns (135.25) vs. Pedro Munhoz (135)

PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern time

  • Kevin Holland (184.75) vs. Thiago Santos (185.5)
  • J.J. Aldrich (115.75) vs. Polyana Viana (115)
  • Renato Moicano (146) vs. Cub Swanson (145.25)
  • Demetrious Johnson (125) vs. Henry Cejudo (125) for the flyweight title
  • T.J. Dillashaw (135) vs. Cody Garbrandt (134.75) for the bantamweight title

EVOLVE AT 4 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY AT THE 2300 ARENA IN PHILADELPHIA

  • Anthony Henry vs. Saieve Al Sabah
  • JD Drake vs. Jon Davis vs. Josh Briggs vs. Odinson
  • Austin Theory vs. Darby Allin
  • Joey Janela vs. AR Fox
  • Chris Dickinson & Jaka vs. Tracy Williams & TK Cooper for Evolve tag titles
  • Matt Riddle vs. Shane Strickland Hardcore rules match

NEW JAPAN G-1 CLIMAX TOURNAMENT SATURDAY NIGHT LATE AT 2 A.M. EASTERN AND 11 P.M. PACIFIC FROM THE EDION ARENA IN OSAKA ON NEW JAPAN WORLD

  • Juice Robinson & Shota Umino vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Sho
  • Tetsuya Naito & Sanada vs. David Finlay & Toa Henare
  • Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
  • Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Toru Yano & Jado
  • Yoshi-Hashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Hangman Page
  • Jay White vs. Togi Makabe
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Michael Elgin
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Evil

Sunday has WWE Raw in Savannah, GA and Smackdown in Albany, GA.

WWN/EVOLVE ON SUNDAY AT 4 P.M. EASTERN TIME FROM THE MELROSE, MA MEMORIAL HALL

  • J.D. Drake vs. Dom Garrini 
  • Anthony Henry vs. Jon Davis
  • Shane Strickland vs. Saieve Al Sabah
  • Jaka vs. Josh Briggs
  • Chris Dickinson vs. Tracy Williams
  • Matt Riddle vs. Austin Theory
  • Joey Janela vs. Darby Allin for WWN title 

Raw will be live on Monday night from Jacksonville, FL. Matches announced are Ronda Rousey’s first Raw match against Alicia Fox, and Bobby Roode vs. Mojo Rawley. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman are not scheduled on the show. There is also a Smackdown house show in Gainesville, FL.

Smackdown and 205 Live take place Tuesday in Orlando with Sheamus & Cesaro vs. New Day for a shot at the Bludgeon Brothers’ Smackdown tag titles at SummerSlam.

F4W NEWSLETTER: Figure Four Weekly: The next step in WWE’s Women’s Evolution

WWE’s “women’s evolution” took its logical next step last week as the company announced its first all-women’s pay-per-view. Aptly, the PPV will be called “Evolution.” It will take place at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York on October 28. WWE is hyping that over 50 wrestlers from the past and present will be involved, with Trish Stratus, Lita, and Beth Phoenix already advertised. 

WON NEWSLETTER: (July 30, 2018) Wrestling Observer Newsletter: All women PPV WWE Evolution announcement, more

The lead stories in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter cover the lives, careers and deaths of Brian Christopher Lawler, Nikolai Volkoff and Brickhouse Brown.

With Lawler, look at his death, his recent arrest, the decision to not bail him out, growing up in Memphis, how he started in pro wrestling, how he got his first push and his USWA heyday. 

Look the death of Nikolai Volkoff, what led to it, the true story of his name and where he got the gimmick as opposed to the public explanation that was always told.

Find out about the strange circumstances surrounding the death of Brickhouse Brown, how he was pronounced dead and came back to life, and his description of what happened when he was dead the first time. 

Read the update on the current SummerSlam show, business notes, Lesnar vs. Reigns, as well as the market value of tickets for all the rest of the summer major events.

Also there is more on the WWE FOX deal, new programming that both has and hasn’t been discussed, updated contract information, new season of Total Divas, why Cain Velasquez was training at the Performance Center, and Sting talks if he will wrestle again.

Look at the debut of ITV World of Sport wrestling, why it was put on network TV in that time slot, ratings for the show and what they mean, who watched, why people were surprised about the viewership and what it means. 

ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to Dave Meltzer, or by using PayPal directing funds to Dave@WrestlingObserver.com. 

Rates in the United States are $13 for 4 issues, $32 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $14.50 for 4, $35 for 12, $67 for 24, $111 for 40 and $144 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to moonsault@mediaplusint.com. For the rest of the world, rates are $16.50 for 4, $44 for 12, $85 for 24, $141 for 40 issues and $183 for 52. If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.)

If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can choose one free classic issue or two free classic issues with a 40-issue subscription.

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

UFC’s press conference today announced Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor for the lightweight title for 10/6 in Las Vegas, which will be one of the biggest PPV fights in UFC history. Neither was at the press conference. If they were, we would probably still be waiting for Conor to show up. Nate Diaz arrived for the press conference about 30 minutes late and said pretty much nothing.

Brian Lawler’s funeral took place today in Memphis. Jerry Lawler noted that this was the saddest day of his life. Spellbinder Del Rios, Reggie B. Fine, Kevin Lawler, Tony Williams and other family members spoke at the funeral. Dave Brown led the ten bell salute. They played his entrance music. They had a little red wagon with photos on display stemming from a little red wagon promo he did early in his career in Memphis. Doug Gilbert was one of the pall bearers. Also in attendance were Scott Garland (Scotty 2 Hotty), Rudy Charles from WWE, Matt Riviera, promoter Bert Prentice, Jerry Jarrett, Koko B. Ware, Downtown Bruno and Bill Dundee.

CW 30 in Memphis tomorrow morning at 11 p.m. will be doing a tribute TV show for Brian with Jerry hosting the show.

Michael Elgin suffered a right arm injury in his match with Kazuchika Okada on Monday in Takamatsu. He arm went out catching Okada on a move. There is no word on the severity of the injury but he’s expected to get an MRI on it next week. He’s still working through the tournament. While he was selling it as part of the story in his match with Bad Luck Fale yesterday, that was all selling and he was telling people it wasn’t bothering him in the match.

For this weekend’s WWE touring shows, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman are both not advertised for tonight’s show in Augusta. Reigns is booked on the rest of the weekend shows. Ronda Rousey is working the entire tour. On the Smackdown side, both Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton aren’t advertised for any of the house shows.

Almost all the women in the Mae Young Classic, which will be taped on Wednesday and Thursday in Orlando, are in Orlando now. Most were in yesterday and the rest were supposed to be in today. They are all there to spend the weekend practicing their matches.

Tonight’s Arena Mexico show looks to be one of the biggest ones of the year with so much outside talent and one-of-a-kind match-ups.

WWE

  • The XFL was wanting to put a team in the Bay Area but isn’t having much luck. Both the Oakland Coliseum and the Cal Stadium in Berkeley turned the league down. The Coliseum said the schedule would cause problems in getting the stadium ready for the Oakland A’s opening games. Cal simply turned down the XFL’s request to play there.
  • Thaddeus Bullard aka Titus O’Neil was named this past week as a new member of the U.S. Tennis Association’s Celebrity and Player Advisory Council. Bullard and Shark Tank star Daymond John were appointed to the council that is chaired by Alec Baldwin. They are both ambassadors and spokespersons to support the USTA’s brand awareness and to raise money to promote junior tennis programs.
  • Bullard will be working with the Florida Hospital Partners to present the Back to School Bash tomorrow at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa at 8 a.m. This is a free event but registration on-site is required. 
  • Dasha Fuentes underwent surgery for a torn Achilles tendon.
  • Jeff Hardy will be doing a concert on 8/14 at The Firmament in Greenville, SC.
  • A HHH & Stephanie McMahon meet and greet at the Barclays Center on 8/17 sold out immediately. The event is to raise money for Connor’s Cure. 
  • Both Kevin Nash and Scott Hall were working at the Performance Center this past week.
  • A correction on the spelling of the name of the former MLW producer who is now a member of the WWE writing team, the correct spelling is Kazeem Famuylde. (thanks to Daniel Mintz)

UFC

  • Jimi Manuwa vs. Glover Teixeira was announced as the main event of a 9/22 show in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • Frankie Edgar vs. Korean Zombie Chan Sung Jung was announced as the main event of the UFC 25 show on 11/10 in Denver.

OTHER

  • Jeff Jarrett vs. Fenix for the AAA Mega heavyweight title is now official after last night’s AAA TV tapings, for a TripleMania match on 8/25 at Arena Ciudad in Mexico City.
  • The Crash runs tonight in Tijuana with Pete Dunne vs. Daga vs. Dragon Lee, Flamita & Bandido vs. Chris Brookes & Kid Lycos and Stuka Jr. & Soberano Jr., Tyler Bate & Trent Seven vs. Bestia 666 & Mr. 450, Rey Hours vs. Titan and others.
  • Progress Wrestling has a show on Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
  • Northeast Wrestling has two major weekend shows, the first being tonight in Norwich, CT at Dodd Stadium with Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Darby Allin and Jack Swagger vs. Flip Gordon, as well as Matt Riddle vs. Brad Hollister and also making appearances are The Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Renee Young, Christian, Corey Graves, King Kong Bundy, Billy Gunn, Jimmy Hart and The Kingdom. They also run tomorrow night for what is annually one of the biggest indie events of the year, The Night Under the Stars at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY with Mysterio Jr. vs. Gordon, Swagger vs. Gunn plus Robbie E, Tenille Dashwood, Young Bucks, Christian, Renee Young, Corey Graves, King Kong Bundy, Tito Santana, Jimmy Hart and Marty Scurll.
  • Bob Kapur, who interviewed Scarlett Bordeaux last night on the Impact show, is a Slam Wrestling writer.
  • Bar Wrestling from last night in Los Angels: Taya Valkyrie & PJ Black b Super Panda & Luchasaurus, Kris Wolf b Nicole Savoy, Joey Ryan & Ray Rosas & Peter Avalon b Scorpio Sky & Yuma & Kevin Martenson, Eli Everfly b Ace Romero (said to be awesome), Tyler Bateman & Brody King b Brian Cage & Jeff Cobb (very good), Ivelisse Velez b Chelsea Green. (thanks to Jake Koch)
  • NFC MMA on 8/11 at Center Stage in Atlanta headlined by Jeremy Wallace vs. Nick Geoffrion.
  • ECCW on 9/8 in New Westminster, BC at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall.
  • All Star Wrestling on 8/25 and 9/29 in Surrey, BC at the Alice McKay Building at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds featuring Asian Cooger.
  • All Star Wrestling on 9/28 in Squamish, BC at Totem Hall.
  • Smash Wrestling on 8/26 in Toronto at The Phoenix with Jeff Cobb vs. PCO vs. Brody King, Joey Janela vs. Tyson Dux for the Smash title and Tessa Blanchard vs. Vanessa Kraven.
  • Tuff N Uff on 8/11 in Mesquite, NV at the Casablanca Hotel and Casino.
  • ESPN announced the signing of Andre Ward as a boxing analyst.
  • Teddy Hart vs. Jack Evans on 9/21 for GCW at the House of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ. 
  • The Hannibal TV’s full 2+ hour shoot interview with Dr. D David Schultz is now posted free at this link.
  • Owen Hart National Wrestling Hall of Fame Discussion Panel with his brothers Bruce, Keith and Ross, his sister Diana and nephew Harry Smith.
  • Bruiser Brody National Wrestling Hall of Fame Discussion Panel with his wife Barbara Goodish, former Tag Team Partner Stan Hansen, WWE Producer Tony Garea, friend Herb Simmons and Bruce Mitchell.

Daily Professional Wrestling History: WWF SummerSlam 1997

12th Annual F4W Empire Vegas Convention

Greetings friends and fans of the F4W / Wrestling Observer website. The 12th annual F4W / Wrestling Observer Empire Las Vegas Convention~! is just around the corner.

This year’s event will be taking place in Las Vegas from August 16th to the 20th and will again be in conjunction with WWE’s SummerSlam weekend a.k.a. Super China Buffet Day~! There will still be the usual events, but our big draw will be WWE’s summer blockbuster PPV, SummerSlam. As per tradition, we will all gorge ourselves at a Las Vegas buffet, and then watch SummerSlam in a rented out movie theater. All information and ticketing prices are available now. Sign up ASAP as spots are limited for some events. 

This year will also feature a Future Stars Wrestling show which will include the first ever Granny’s Doubles Match Classic! Already booked for the show are the teams Mia Yim & Leva Bates, Shotzi Blackheart & Sage Sin, Samantha Heights & Brittany Blake, and Miranda Alize & Kylie Rae. Also just booked for the show is a tag team Grappling Battel~! featuring Bryan Alvarez & ??? vs. The Beach Bums (PeachMachine & Mikey G), You won’t want to miss this show! Check out the convention’s Facebook page for all additional information.

CONTACT INFORMATION